Action for mechanical playing attachments for pianos



PATENTED JAN. 5, 1904.

G. S. WILLIAMS. ACTION FOR MECHANICAL PLAYING ATTACHMENTS FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1903.

NO MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented January 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE S. WILLIAMS, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JJSAUNDERS TAYLOR, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

ACTION FOR MECHANICAL PLAYING ATTACHMENTS FOR PIANOS.

srnorisronrion forming part of Letters Patent No. 748, dated January 1904- Application filed April 14,1903. Serial No. 152,543. (No model) To all whom it m/rty concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE S.WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Vir- 5 ginia, have invented newand usefulImprovements in Actions for Mechanical Playing Attachments for Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in an IO action for mechanical playing attachments for pianos in which a friction-shoe is brought in contact with a revolving drum or cylinder and by rolling on the surface of said drum or cylinder strikes the keys of a piano by a systern of mechanical levers and devices hereinafter shown; and the objects of my improvements are, first, to provide for a strong and positive motion of the shoe on and off the cylinder by means of a small actuating force;

second, to provide a device for removing the shoe from the cylinder at the end of the stroke and holding it in that position so long as the note is sustained, thereby doing away with the friction caused by the drag of the shoes on the cylinder during a sustained note, common in all instruments of this class, and, third, to provide a device for regulating the touch to produce loud and soft tones by varying thelength and force of the stroke in the machine itself independently of the piano, leaving the piano-pedals to be operated in the usual way. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section,

showing all the parts in their normal position at rest. Fig. 2 is the same View as Fig. 1,

showing position of the parts when note is struck with the shoe removed from the cylinder. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the device for regulating the touch, showingposition for full stroke to produce loud tones, and Fig. 4

is same view as Fig. 3, showing position for short stroke to produce soft tones. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of the adj ustably-mounted movable supports for the shoes. This action can be used with any form of actuating device and can be operated by pneumatics, electricity, or any other power.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown it in combination with my pneumatic actuating device, which is the subject of and fully described and claimed in my pending application, Serial No. 144,520, filed February 21, 1903, and to which I make no claim in this application, using it simply to show one method of operating the action which is the subject of the present application.

In the drawings like numerals in the sev-' eral figures refer to similar parts, and 1 and 3 are music-rolls for winding and rewinding the music-sheets which pass over the trackerboard 2, the music-sheets having perforations which pass over corresponding openings in said tracker-board and connect by the tubes 55 4 with the small bellows 32, arranged in a double row, as shown in drawings. Gonnected with the bellows 32 are the rods 15 to transmit the motion of the bellows to the toggle formed by the parts 10 and 11, pivoted together at 12 and at the upper end to the fixed flange 9. The lower end of this toggle carries the rod 16, one end of which is pivoted to thefiange 17, which is adjustable to regulate the distance of the shoe from the 7 cylinder, and the other end is pivoted to the friction-shoe 18 by pin 19. To the back end of the shoe 18 is pivoted the sticker 21 by pin 20, and the top of this sticker is pivoted to the movable arm 8, which is in turn pivoted to the fixed flange 9. The movable arm 8 rests on the movable rail 22, (shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4,) which rail is mounted on the rod 34, with a fixed pivot at 33, and is raised and lowered by the movement of the rod 24 back and forth in the slot 35, thus depressing and releasing the other end of rod 34, and the adjustment is such that when the rail-rod 24 is moved back and forth in the slot 35 the rail 22 is raised or lowered just 0 enough to keep the movable arm 8 pressing against the spring 23, thereby preventing any lost motion and shortening the stroke, as shown in Fig. 4, first, by raising the sticker 21 and shortening the throw of the shoe 18 and, secondly, by bringing the point of contact between the spring 23 and arm 8 nearer to the pivot of said arm, thereby shortening the lever and length of stroke. Between the movable arm 8 and the back of the finger 6 is a spring 23, which acts as a cushion to the stroke and is attached to the movable arm 7,

which is pivoted on the rod 24, which is moved back and forth in the slot 35 by a suitable lever (not shown) in the hands of the operator, and which with the rail 22 is used to regulate the touch, as described above.

The cylinder 25 is revolved by any suitable form of pedal movement, motor, or other mechanism common to the art and in the direction indicated by the small arrow.

On the fixed rail 29 are mounted a series of movable pieces 27, pivoted to the flanges 28, which can be adjusted up and down on rail 29 by means of a screw passing through an elongated slot in each flange 28. The movable pieces 27 are held in position against the fixed rail 26 by means of the small springs 30 in such a position that the shoe 18, revolving on its pivot 19, comes in contact with the piece 27 just as it completes its stroke and as the point of said shoe is leaving the cylinder. The point of contact between the shoe 18 and arm 27 is off the line of the centers of their respective pivots, as shown in Fig. 2.

The fingers 6 are pivoted on the rail 5 and have on their front end an adjustable button to strike the piano-keys 31.

Having described my invention in detail, I will now demonstrate the principles of its operation.

Fig. 1 shows all parts at rest, with the opening in tracker-board at 2 closed by music sheet. When air is admitted through opening 2 by a perforation in the music-sheet passing over a corresponding opening in the tracker-board, as shown in Fig. 2, the toggle 10 and 11 is drawn in by the motion of the bellows 32 by the pneumatic action fully described in my said application Serial No. 144,520. This causes a strong downward movement of the arm 16, which being pivoted to the fixed flange 17 brings the shoe against the revolving cylinder 25. The pivot 19 of the shoe being held rigid, the shoe revolves with the cylinder, throws up the sticker 21, and through the spring 23 raises the roar of the finger 6, which being pivoted on rail 5 causes the forward end to strike the piano-key 31. (See Fig. 2.) As the shoe 18 revolves on its pivot 19 it comes in contact with the arm 27 just as the point of the shoe leaves the cylinder, and the point of contact being off the line of centers of their respective pivots the shoe will remain in this position so long as there is a downward pressure on the arm 16, carrying the shoe. The moment the opening at 2 is closed by the music sheet the toggle is forced back to its original position, the shoe is raised from the arm 27, and being started by the small spring 30 resumes its original position. (Shown in Fig.1.)

The method of regulating the tone has been fully described above and is effected by moving the rod 24 back and forth by means of a suitable lever (not shown) under the control of the operator.

' The music-rolls are operated to feed the music-sheet over the trackerboard and the desired tempo produced by any of the wellknown methods of a pedal movement, springmotor, air-motor, electric power, or other suitable mechanism.

Having fully described my invention and the principles of its operation, I now make the following claims and ask for Letters Patent covering the same:

1. In a mechanical playing attachmentfor musical instruments, the combination with a revolving drum or cylinder and suitable actuating devices, of a series of friction-shoes, movable arms for supporting said shoes, fixed flanges to which said arms are pivoted, toggle-levers each pivoted at one end to one of said arms and at its other end to a suitable support, rods to transmit the motion of said actuating devices to the toggles, and stickers pivoted to said friction-shoes to transmit the motion of the latter to the striking mechanism of the musical instrument.

2. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a revolving drum, of a series of friction-shoes arranged adjacent to said drum, means for bringing the shoes into and out of contact with the drum comprising toggle-levers and actuating devices therefor, verticallydisposed stickers each pivoted to one end of one of said shoes, pivoted arms to which the upper end of each sticker is connected, and pivoted keyactuating fingers disposed above said stickers in position to be actuated thereby.

3. In a mechanical playing attachment for the piano, the combination of a revolving drum or cylinder, a series of friction-shoes, a system of levers and mechanism for throwing said shoes on and off the cylinder, a sys tem of lovers and mechanism for transmitting the motion of the shoes to the keys of the piano, a series of pivoted arms to engage said shoes at the end of the stroke and remove them from the cylinder, adjustable flanges by means of which said arms can be raised or lowered, a fixed rail, and a series of small springs to hold said movable arms in position against said rail, all substantially as and for the purposes shown.

4:. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a revolving drum or cylinder, of a series of friction-shoes arranged adjacent to said drum, a series of pivoted arms to each of which one of said shoes is pivoted, a series of verticallydisposed toggles each having a connection at its lower end with one of said pivoted arms, means controlled by a music-sheet for actuating said toggles and means to transmit the motion of the shoes to the striking mechanism of the musical instrument.

5. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a revolving drum, of a series of friction-shoes arranged adjacent to said drum and adapted to be thrown into contact therewith, a series of movable arms pivoted at one end to a support and at the other end to one of the friction-shoes, means controlled bya music-sheet for rocking said arms to throw the shoes into contact with the drum, and verticallydisposed stickers pivotally connected to said shoes to transmit the motion of the shoes to the striking mechanism of the musical instrument.

6. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a revolving drum, of a series of friction-shoes arranged adjacent to said drum and adapted to be thrown into contact therewith, a series of vertically-disposed toggle-arms each having a link connection with one of the shoes, means for actuating said toggle-arms to'bring the shoes into contact with the drum, and vertical stickers for actuating the striking mechanism of the musical instrument.

7. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a revolving drum, of a series of friction-shoes normally disposed at an angle to a line taken vertically through said drum and adapted to be thrown into contact therewith, a series of normally flexed toggle-arms each having a connection with one of said shoes, means controlled by a perforated music-sheet for straightening said toggle-arms to bring the shoes into contact with the drum, and vertical stickers for transmitting the motion of the shoes to the striking mechanism of the musical instrument.

'8. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a revolving drum, of a series of friction-shoes arranged adjacent to said drum and adapted to be thrown into contact therewith, means for bringing the shoes into contact with the drum, a verticallymovable sticker pivoted to each shoe, a series of arms each pivoted at one end to the upper end of each sticker and at the other end to a support, and a series of key-actuating fingers arrangedto be actuated by said stickers.

9. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination With a revolving drum, of a series of friction-shoes, means for bringing said shoes into contact with said drum, means operated by said shoes for actuating the keys of a musical instrument, and a series of pivoted arms for supporting said shoes at the end of the stroke to hold them removed from the drum.

10. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a revolving drum, of a series of friction-shoes, means for bringing said shoes into contact with said drum, means operated by said shoes for actuating the keys of a musical instrument, and a. series of movable supports for engaging said shoes at the end of the stroke to hold them removed from the drum.

11. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination With a revolving drum, of a series of friction-shoes, means for bringing the shoes into and out of contact with said drum, means operated by said shoes for actuating the keys of a musical instrument, a series of pivoted arms to be engaged by said shoes at the end of the stroke to hold them removed from the drum, and springs normally acting to force the said arms forward.

12. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a series of pivoted key-operating fingers, of means for actuating said fingers, a yieldable connection between the fingers and actuating means therefor, and means for moving said yieldable connection to and from the ends of the fingers.

13. In a mechanical playing attach mentfor musical instruments, the combination with a series of pivoted key-operating fingers, of means controlled by a perforated music-sheet for actuating said fingers, a yieldable connection between said finge s and the actuating means therefor, and means for moving said yieldable connection to and from the ends of the fingers.

14. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a series of pivoted key-operating fingers, of means controlled by a perforated music-sheet for actuating said fingers, and springs arranged between the rear ends of the fingers and the actuating means therefor,said springs being movable longitudinally of the fingers.

15. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a series of pivoted keyoperating fingers, of means controlled by a perforated music-sheet for actuating said fingers,an arm movable longitudinally below each finger, and a spring carried by each movable arm, said springs be ing interposed between the fingers and the actuating means therefor.

16. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a series of pivoted key-actuating fingers, of a series of vertically-movable stickers for actuating said fingers, means controlled by a perforated music-sheet for actuating said stickers, a pivoted arm to which the upper end of each sticker is connected, and springs interposed between the rearends of the fingers and said pivoted arms, said springs being movable longitudinally of the fingers.

17. In a mechanical playing attachment for mnsical-instruments, the combination with a series of pivoted key-actuating fingers, of a series of vertically-movable stickers for actuating said fingers, means controlled by a perforated music-sheet for operating said stickers, a pivoted arm to which the upper end of each sticker is connected,a movable rest-rail arranged below said arms and constituting a support therefor, and springs interposed between said fingers and pivoted arms, said springs being movable longitudinally of the fingers.

18. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a series of pivoted key-actuating fingers, of a series of vertically-movable stickers for actuating said fingers, means controlled by a m usic-sheet for actuating the stickers, a pivoted arm to which the upper end of each sticker is connected, a pivoted rest-rail arranged below said arms and constituting a support therefor, and springs interposed between said fingers and pivoted arms.

19. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a series of key-actuating fingers, of a series of vertically-movable stickers for actuating said fingers, a pivoted arm to which the upper end of each sticker is connected, a pivoted restrail arranged below said arms and constituting a support therefor, a series of longitudinally-movable springs arranged between said arms and fingers, and means whereby the said rest-rail is raised when the springs are moved forward.

20. In a mechanical playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination With'a series of key-actuating fingers, of a series of vertically-movable stickers foractuating said fingers, a pivoted arm to which the upper end of each sticker is connected, a rest-rail arranged below said arms and constitutingasupport therefor, a pivoted support for said restrail having an extension, a series of longitudinally-movable springs arranged between said arms and fingers, and means for engaging the extension on the rest-rail support to cause the said rest-rail to be raised or lowered as the springs are moved longitudinally.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- GEORGE S. WILLIAMS. Witnesses:

J. SAUNDERS TAYLOR, THEODORIER A. WILLIAMS. 

